Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has doubled down on his call for a broad-based coalition to challenge and unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, despite strong opposition from 11 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The rift within Nigeria’s main opposition party became more pronounced following the governors’ meeting in Ibadan on Monday, where they unanimously rejected any merger or coalition deal, stating the PDP would rather welcome others into its fold than join forces in a formal alliance.
However, Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the PDP banner and is widely speculated to be eyeing a 2027 return, insists that coalition politics is the only viable route to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The tension between Atiku’s bloc and the PDP governors speaks volumes about the strategic differences plaguing the party. Atiku has already made overtures to key political figures like Peter Obi (former Labour Party presidential candidate) and Nasir El-Rufai (former Kaduna governor) to form a new opposition alliance aimed squarely at defeating Tinubu.
While Atiku insists this coalition is a “pan-Nigerian movement”, the PDP governors, led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, have distanced themselves, emphasizing internal party strength and autonomy over external partnerships.
“The PDP will not join any coalition or merger,” Bala Mohammed declared.
“However, the party welcomes any individuals or groups willing to join us in the quest to enthrone good governance in 2027.”
Responding through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku acknowledged the governors as critical stakeholders but maintained that the coalition’s momentum has “transcended party politics” and now belongs to Nigerians.
“This is a pan-Nigerian project. The movement already belongs to the people. We are on this path because internal polling and consultations showed this was the right move,” Ibe stated.
Atiku believes more alignment will happen as 2027 approaches and is confident that the weight of public sentiment will bring even reluctant PDP actors on board.
Amid the coalition controversy, the PDP is also grappling with internal leadership disputes, particularly the tussle over the position of National Secretary.
Though the party had earlier recognized Sunday Ude-Okoye following a court ruling, the Supreme Court judgment of March 21 nullified that move, asserting that such internal party matters are not for judicial intervention.
As a temporary measure, the PDP Governors Forum has backed the appointment of Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo as acting secretary, pending a formal nomination from the South-East zone to be ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
